AR-News: Safe Hunting?

[Peg Leg Bates]

Dr. Michael Willis received his MD from Louisiana State University School of Medicine.  He says that when hunting, hunters should have with them a collection of survival gear for unfortunate circumstances in which life may be threatened.  He also suggests that hunters attend courses that teach survival skills.
             
Included in a hunter's first-aid kit should be:     
 
- Betadine swabs for cleaning cuts and open wounds. 
- Sterile gauze pads and rolls for dressing wounds. 
- Ace wraps for compression of bleeding. 
- Splints for immobilizing injured limbs. 
- Cellular phone or two-way radio. 
      
Dr. Willis says that some field injuries may be quite severe and recommends against suturing your own wounds when out in the woods. 
 
The doctor says that hunting from a tree stand can be dangerous. Recent data suggests that one in three hunters will fall from their stand. These falls often result in spinal cord injury or pelvic fracture, both of which are life-changing. 
 
He also suggests that snake bites not be treated in the field.  "I do not recommend attempting to treat a bite, as this may result in worsening of the wound or the illness related to the bite." 
 
All this comes from a doctor who is also a hunter.
 
Source:  Billings Gazette  10/8/03    
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/10/08/build/health/40-willis.inc
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